Have you been watching The Apprentice? We’re hooked. We didn’t watch the first series but have watched every series since. If you’re not familiar with the programme, I’ll give you a quick synopsis. 15 men and women (in their 20s and 30s) are competing to be taken on by Sir Alan Sugar for one year as his apprentice. Each week they are split in to two teams that compete against each other in a business orientated task.  The leader of the loosing team then picks two team mates to accompany the team leader into the board room in front of Sir Alan. After a grilling, Sir Alan then fires one of the three.

It is gripping television – well I think it is.

All manner of books, films, plays and TV programmes can help us to reflect theologically. In other words, we can think about God and faith through all manner of things. And I have to say that The Apprentice has got me thinking theologically.

Certainly there is plenty of stuff to think about human character and the flaws human beings have. In The Apprentice we see pride, greed, envy, lying, treachery, deception. “All human life is here”. 

Then the number of prospective apprentices, got me thinking about the disciples. (I know there weren’t 15!) But the candidates make me think about the disciples because the candidates all come from a variety of backgrounds just like the disciples. Furthermore, just like the disciples, the candidates  all have some flaws in their character and are far from perfect.

There is judgment. Each week Sir Alan determines the fate of people. He passes judgment on those appearing before him and one of them is fired. Some of us struggle with the teachings in the Bible about God judging (for example Matthew 25: 31 – 46) and try to balance this against the idea of God’s grace and mercy.  We cannot get away though from the fact that this is mentioned in the Bible.

There is even some forgiveness. One of this year’s candidates – Deborah – has got a mouth on her! She is argumentative and rude. In one episode she was very rude about one of Sir Alan’s assistants and was close to being fired. However, Sir Alan chose to give her a second chance as clearly he saw some potential in her.

So The Apprentice has plenty for us to reflect on. Thankfully we can all be assured that despite the flaws in our characters, despite being far from perfect candidates, Jesus has assured us that we can be forgiven, and we will be hired not fired!

David